Defining News, Finding Stories, and Interviewing Sources
What is News?
News, simply put, is information about the world around us: people, places, events, or issues. However, newspapers do not report about every person, place, event, or issue that comes to their attention. When attempting to locate a story, the following elements must be considered:
Timeliness
Readers' Interest (see "Who cares?")
Proximity to readership
Prominence (how well-known it is)
Effects on the Reader
Conflict
Who Cares?
Often, journalists make the mistake of following a story that readers are not interested in. Before pursuing a story, evaluate how your readers will respond and react to it. Avoid those that would elicit a response of "who cares?" or "no duh," as such stories are most likely not worth reporting.
Hard, soft, or mushy
In the world of journalism, stories are divided into two over-arching categories: hard news and soft news. In The Chronicle, we also have a third category: mushy news.
Hard news is strictly facts, and is not intended to entertain or amuse readers. Serious stories, such as reports on crime and stories about building and reconstruction, are considered to be hard news. Hard news most often falls under the jurisdiction of a News Editor.
Soft news, on the other hand, is meant to entertain the reader as much as it is meant to inform them. New teacher interviews, student profiles, and reviews (including movie, music, art, or other reviews) are soft news. Soft news is almost always under the realm of Features and Entertainment editors.
Mushy news (our name for Tabloid-style news) is really not news at all, but rather articles that have very little if any basis in fact. This kind of story is only used in "April Fool's" issues or the like. Mushy news is always considered Features or Entertainment.
Where the News Stories Are
Sometimes, stories can be found right in front of you; most of the time, however, finding them will require a bit of digging. A good journalist can find and pursue stories in the most unlikely of places. The easiest way to do this is through tips from other people. These bits of information can help you find a source, which provides trustworthy information for your story.
Sources
There are two types of sources: primary and secondary. Primary sources are people with firsthand information on the story. Secondary sources, such as reference books, letters, press releases, and informed opinions, are also used to form stories. Generally, it is best to use as many primary sources as possible, and to shy away from any secondary sources. Journalists also frown upon the use of anonymous sources for numerous reasons.
The Stress-Test for Sources
Not all sources are created equal. Good sources are up-to-date, informed, accurate, and - most importantly - verifiable. A good source is one that can be backed up by other sources. Be wary of sources that cannot be corroborated, as well as any Internet sources.
The Local Angle
Normally, a student newspaper will want stories to be written with a local angle. A local angle is when the story is written highlighting things of interest or importance to local readers. Any story can be written with a local angle by involving students or community members in the story, either by reporting their opinions or using them as a cited source.
Interviewing Sources
Interviews are essential to the journalistic process. It is how good journalists get most of their information. After you have found sources, narrow down the list to those few that have the most direct and pertinent information about the story. This will ensure that you get all of the information you need without wasting time gathering repeat information.
Requesting an Interview
When requesting an interview, it is important to come off as professional as possible, especially if you do not know the source very well. Requesting interviews can either be done in person or via email, but should always include some basic information:
your first and last name
the name of the newspaper (and the school if the source is not within the building)
the topic of the story
feasible meeting times, locations, and dates
If doing an interview on-the-spot, which is not normally the case, ask if the source has a few minutes to spare and explain the topic of the story before you begin the interview.
The Interview
Face-to-face interviews are the best form of interviewing, and some editors or advisers may only allow you to interview face-to-face, depending on the story and the source. Interviews should always be scheduled around the source's schedule before your own, and should be at a place that is convenient and safe for both you and the source. About 20-30 minutes of time should be devoted for interviews. Be sure to bring a notebook, pencil, and your questions (see"Writing Interview Questions").
For some stories and in special circumstances, email or online interviews may be acceptable to editors or advisers. The best way to do an online interview is via an online video chat program, such as Skype or Oovoo. After that, online chats and emails can be used. The issue with such text-only forms of communication is that a message can be misinterpreted. If doing an email interview, the source should be asked to provide as much detail and as many clarifying facts as possible. They should also be alerted to the possibility of follow-up questions.
A Word About Recording Interviews
With voice recorders, camcorders, video cameras, and cell phones, it can be quite tempting to just hit the record button. However, before doing so, make sure that the source knows you are recording the interview and is okay with it. If they are not, you must respect their wishes and put away the recorder. At any time, they have the right to request that the recorder be turned off.
Often, chat, email, and online video conversations are automatically saved. If doing such an interview, remind the source that this is the case. This is the online equivalent of using a voice recorder, and should be treated as such.
Writing Interview Questions
The basis of any interview should be finding out about the basic facts of the story, otherwise known as the who, what, where, when, why, and how of the story. You can elaborate on these in secondary questions. Be sure that your questions are clear, simple, and concise. Make sure the questions are open-ended, and that they make your sources think. Be ready to ask follow-up or clarifying questions if need be. Do not ask controversial questions or questions that may throw the source off guard; if you are unsure, check your questions with your editor or adviser before the interview.
Levin, Mark. EXp3 - Journalism: A Handbook for Journalists. 1952. Lincolnwood, Illinois, USA: National Textbook Company, 1999. Print.
Pavlik, John V. Journalism and New Media. New York: Columbia U., 2001. Print.
“Practical Tips for Finding a Focus When Writing.” Poynter.org. The Poynter Inst., 2011. Web. 19 Sept. 2011. <http://www.poynter.org/how-tos/newsgathering-storytelling/writing-tools/141685/live-chat-today-practical-tips-for-finding-a-focus-when-writing/>.
Defining News, Finding Stories, and Interviewing Sources
What is News?
News, simply put, is information about the world around us: people, places, events, or issues. However, newspapers do not report about every person, place, event, or issue that comes to their attention. When attempting to locate a story, the following elements must be considered:Who Cares?
Often, journalists make the mistake of following a story that readers are not interested in. Before pursuing a story, evaluate how your readers will respond and react to it. Avoid those that would elicit a response of "who cares?" or "no duh," as such stories are most likely not worth reporting.Hard, soft, or mushy
In the world of journalism, stories are divided into two over-arching categories: hard news and soft news. In The Chronicle, we also have a third category: mushy news.Where the News Stories Are
Sometimes, stories can be found right in front of you; most of the time, however, finding them will require a bit of digging. A good journalist can find and pursue stories in the most unlikely of places. The easiest way to do this is through tips from other people. These bits of information can help you find a source, which provides trustworthy information for your story.Sources
There are two types of sources: primary and secondary. Primary sources are people with firsthand information on the story. Secondary sources, such as reference books, letters, press releases, and informed opinions, are also used to form stories. Generally, it is best to use as many primary sources as possible, and to shy away from any secondary sources. Journalists also frown upon the use of anonymous sources for numerous reasons.The Stress-Test for Sources
Not all sources are created equal. Good sources are up-to-date, informed, accurate, and - most importantly - verifiable. A good source is one that can be backed up by other sources. Be wary of sources that cannot be corroborated, as well as any Internet sources.The Local Angle
Normally, a student newspaper will want stories to be written with a local angle. A local angle is when the story is written highlighting things of interest or importance to local readers. Any story can be written with a local angle by involving students or community members in the story, either by reporting their opinions or using them as a cited source.Interviewing Sources
Interviews are essential to the journalistic process. It is how good journalists get most of their information. After you have found sources, narrow down the list to those few that have the most direct and pertinent information about the story. This will ensure that you get all of the information you need without wasting time gathering repeat information.Requesting an Interview
When requesting an interview, it is important to come off as professional as possible, especially if you do not know the source very well. Requesting interviews can either be done in person or via email, but should always include some basic information:If doing an interview on-the-spot, which is not normally the case, ask if the source has a few minutes to spare and explain the topic of the story before you begin the interview.
The Interview
Face-to-face interviews are the best form of interviewing, and some editors or advisers may only allow you to interview face-to-face, depending on the story and the source. Interviews should always be scheduled around the source's schedule before your own, and should be at a place that is convenient and safe for both you and the source. About 20-30 minutes of time should be devoted for interviews. Be sure to bring a notebook, pencil, and your questions (see"Writing Interview Questions").For some stories and in special circumstances, email or online interviews may be acceptable to editors or advisers. The best way to do an online interview is via an online video chat program, such as Skype or Oovoo. After that, online chats and emails can be used. The issue with such text-only forms of communication is that a message can be misinterpreted. If doing an email interview, the source should be asked to provide as much detail and as many clarifying facts as possible. They should also be alerted to the possibility of follow-up questions.
A Word About Recording Interviews
With voice recorders, camcorders, video cameras, and cell phones, it can be quite tempting to just hit the record button. However, before doing so, make sure that the source knows you are recording the interview and is okay with it. If they are not, you must respect their wishes and put away the recorder. At any time, they have the right to request that the recorder be turned off.Often, chat, email, and online video conversations are automatically saved. If doing such an interview, remind the source that this is the case. This is the online equivalent of using a voice recorder, and should be treated as such.
Writing Interview Questions
The basis of any interview should be finding out about the basic facts of the story, otherwise known as the who, what, where, when, why, and how of the story. You can elaborate on these in secondary questions. Be sure that your questions are clear, simple, and concise. Make sure the questions are open-ended, and that they make your sources think. Be ready to ask follow-up or clarifying questions if need be. Do not ask controversial questions or questions that may throw the source off guard; if you are unsure, check your questions with your editor or adviser before the interview.Works Cited
“Journalism.” MediaCollege.com. Wavelength Media, n.d. Web. 19 Sept. 2011. <http://www.mediacollege.com/journalism/interviews/>.Levin, Mark. EXp3 - Journalism: A Handbook for Journalists. 1952. Lincolnwood, Illinois, USA: National Textbook Company, 1999. Print.
Pavlik, John V. Journalism and New Media. New York: Columbia U., 2001. Print.
“Practical Tips for Finding a Focus When Writing.” Poynter.org. The Poynter Inst., 2011. Web. 19 Sept. 2011. <http://www.poynter.org/how-tos/newsgathering-storytelling/writing-tools/141685/live-chat-today-practical-tips-for-finding-a-focus-when-writing/>.